Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 06/20/2008 10:34 AM | Headlines Former State Intelligence Agency (BIN) deputy chief Maj. Gen. Muchdi Purwopranjono was detained by the National Police late Thursday, a day after being named a suspect in the murder case of human rights campaigner Munir Said Thalib.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Abubakar Nataprawira said Muchdi could be charged in violation of Article 340 of the Criminal Code on premeditated murder, which carries a maximum penalty of death.

Muchdi arrived at the National Police headquarters at about 7 p.m., escorted by his team of lawyers and police detectives led by National Police chief of detectives Comr. Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri.

"Muchdi is now being questioned by the investigators," Abubakar said. He said the police had sent a letter to Muchdi on Wednesday declaring him a new suspect in the Munir case. The letter also said Muchdi was expected to turn himself in to the police by Friday at the latest.

"However, Muchdi's lawyer called us this afternoon (Thursday), telling us that he would surrender earlier," he added. Muchdi has been alleged to have played a part in the murder of Munir, who died from arsenic poisoning aboard a Garuda Indonesia flight on Sept. 7, 2004, from Singapore to Amsterdam.

The name of Muchdi was mentioned in a written statement issued by BIN agent Budi Santoso that was read out in court during the trial of Garuda pilot Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto. Pollycarpus was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for the premeditated murder of Munir.

In his written testimony, Budi said based on Muchdi's orders, he gave Pollycarpus Rp 10 million (US$1,075) on June 14, 2004, and another Rp 3-4 million for an unknown purpose when Pollycarpus was under investigation in connection with Munir's murder.

Pollycarpus repeatedly claimed he did not know Muchdi.

Pollycarpus was on the same flight with Munir, which was made possible by the fact an assignment letter was signed by Garuda president director Indra Setiawan. Indra was sentenced to one year in prison for assisting the premeditated murder of Munir but walked free in April after serving 10 months in detention at the National Police headquarters.

Initial evidence indicated that Munir was poisoned on the flight between Jakarta and Singapore. However, the latest evidence suggests Munir was poisoned at Singapore's Changi Airport.

Besides Muchdi, former BIN deputy chief M. As'ad has also been linked to the high-profile murder. As'ad allegedly assigned Pollycarpus as a security officer on the flight between Jakarta and Amsterdam.